The Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) is a grassroots body
established under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) of 1988
(Republic Act No. 6657). It serves as the primary institution at the barangay
level to assist in the implementation of agrarian reform programs, particularly
those under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).Functions of BARC:
The BARC plays a crucial role in agrarian reform by performing the following functions:
- Assists in identifying and validating lands that are covered by agrarian reform.
- Helps verify the land’s ownership and status.
- Screens and recommends qualified farmers, farmworkers, and tenants as beneficiaries.
- Ensures that land distribution is fair and in accordance with the law.
- Serves as a mediator in conflicts between landlords, tenants, and farmers.
- Helps settle disputes before they escalate to higher legal bodies.
- Ensures that distributed land is being used for agricultural purposes.
- Reports non-compliance or misuse of agrarian reform lands.
- Facilitates farmers’ access to government support, such as credit, infrastructure, and technology.
- Links ARBs to cooperatives and other support organizations.
- Works with DAR in land acquisition and distribution.
- Supports the execution of agrarian laws at the local level.
The BARC is composed of key representatives from different sectors of the barangay to ensure balanced representation. The committee typically includes:
2. Landowners' Representative – Represents landowners in the barangay.
3. Farmers' Representative – Comes from the local farming community.
4. Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Representative – Represents farmer-beneficiaries.
5. Cooperative or Farmers’ Organization Representative – A member of a local cooperative or farmers’ group.
6. Non-Government Organization (NGO) Representative – If applicable, a member of a relevant NGO.
7. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Representative – Acts as a coordinator between BARC and DAR.
- Represents the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at the municipal level.
- Provides technical guidance on agrarian laws, land distribution, and beneficiary selection.
- Acts as the secretary of BARC, taking minutes and maintaining records.
- Assists in administrative functions and documentation.
- Helps in the management of funds for agrarian reform-related projects.
- Ensures proper financial recording and accountability.
- Assists in the integration of agrarian reform programs with local development plans.
- Helps in resource allocation and land use planning.
- Provides technical support on agricultural production, farm technologies, and farmer assistance programs.
- Ensures that agrarian reform beneficiaries receive agricultural inputs, training, and support services.
- Assists in land classification, environmental concerns, and sustainable land use.
- Provides guidance on forestry laws and environmental regulations related to agrarian reform lands.
- Serve as technical advisors to BARC.
- Provide legal, financial, and agricultural expertise.
- Ensure alignment between barangay agrarian reform activities and national policies.
- Facilitate coordination between DAR, LGUs, and other government agencies.
- Ensures fair and just implementation of agrarian reform at the barangay level.
- Bridges the gap between the government and rural farming communities.
- Reduces land-related disputes through mediation and conflict resolution.
- Empowers small farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries by providing support and guidance.
The Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) was established through various laws and executive orders in support of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Below are the primary legal bases for its formation and organization:
- Also known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), this law institutionalized the CARP and provided for the establishment of the BARC.
- Section 47 explicitly mandates the formation of BARCs at the barangay level to assist in the implementation of agrarian reform programs.
- Defines BARC's role in land distribution, dispute resolution, and beneficiary identification.
- Issued by then-President **Corazon C. Aquino, this order laid the groundwork for agrarian reform implementation under CARP.
- Section 11 states that Barangay Agrarian Reform Committees (BARCs) shall be organized to assist in the administration of agrarian reform matters at the barangay level.
- This law amended RA 6657 and **extended the CARP program.
- Strengthened the role of BARCs in ensuring the fair selection of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and in resolving agrarian disputes.
Several DAR Administrative Orders (AOs) provide guidelines for the creation and operation of BARCs, including:
- DAR Administrative Order No. 14, Series of 1990 – Strengthened BARC’s role in land acquisition, dispute mediation, and farmer support.
- DAR Administrative Order No. 2, Series of 2014 – Provided updated guidelines on BARC operations, membership selection, and dispute resolution procedures.
- Recognizes the role of barangay-level organizations like BARC in local governance and dispute resolution.
- Encourages barangay councils to coordinate with BARCs in agrarian reform-related matters.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), through its Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO), facilitates the formation of the Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) in each barangay. The process follows a structured set of steps to ensure fair representation and effective functionality.
- The Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) identifies barangays where a BARC needs to be organized or reorganized.
- The selection is based on the presence of agrarian reform activities, land distribution concerns, or existing agrarian disputes.
- The MARO, in coordination with the barangay officials, conducts an orientation and consultation meeting with community members.
- The purpose is to inform landowners, farmers, tenants, cooperatives, and other stakeholders about the role and importance of the BARC.
- The legal basis and functions of the BARC are explained to the community.
- Representatives from the following sectors are nominated by their respective groups:
1. Barangay Captain (Chairperson)
2. Representative of Landowners
3. Representative of Farmers and Farmworkers
4. Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) Representative
5. Representative from a Cooperative or Farmers’ Organization
6. Representative from a Non-Government Organization (NGO) (if applicable)
7. DAR Representative (adviser)
- The Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) reviews and approves the nominated members.
- Once validated, a formal resolution or certification is issued to recognize the newly formed BARC.
- The newly appointed BARC members undergo training and orientation conducted by the DAR.
- Topics covered include:
- Agrarian reform laws and policies
- Land tenure improvement
- Agrarian dispute resolution and mediation techniques
- Farmers' rights and responsibilities
- Organizational management and coordination
- The BARC holds its first official meeting, where they:
- Elect officers (if needed).
- Develop an initial action plan.
- Establish internal procedures and schedules for monitoring land reform activities.
- The BARC is expected to regularly report progress, concerns, and agrarian disputes to the DAR through the MARO.
- Continuous coordination with local government units (LGUs), DAR, and other stakeholders ensures effective implementation of agrarian reform programs.
The BARC is legally mandated under RA 6657, EO 229, and other supporting laws and orders. It functions as a grassroots agrarian reform body that assists in land distribution, beneficiary identification, and dispute resolution. It operates under the supervision of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and plays a critical role in ensuring the success of CARP at the barangay level.
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